It is the Scripture's manner to say things are done, when the knowledge of the thing is increased : as to say we are saved, when we know more assuredly that we shall be saved ; to say we are in the kingdom of heaven when we know we are in the state of the kingdom of heaven, as in 2 Pet. iii. 18. Saith he, ' grow in grace,' &c., for by this means, * a further entrance shall be ministered unto you, into the kingdom of God,' 2 Pet. i. 11. The knowledge of a man's estate in grace is a further entrance into the kingdom of God, that is begun here in this Hfe. The knowledge that I am an heir of heaven, is to be in heaven before my time. Thus afflic- tions joined with patience help salvation, because they help the evidence of salvation. They shew that we are sons, and not bastards. It is an evi- dence of our adoption.
2. And then suflferings, joined with the grace of endm'ing, help forward salvation hy way of qualification. There is a qualification and disposition of soul, which is necessary before we come to heaven ; ' because no unclean thing shall ever come to heaven,' Kev. xxi. 27.
Now sufiering, joined with patience, having a mighty and blessed work this way, to purge us of that soil that we cannot carry to heaven with us. We may not think to carry our unmortified pride and lusts, and base earthly affections, and our pleasures and riches ill gotten, to heaven with us. Oh, no ! the presence of heaven is a more pure presence than so, and the place will not endure such defilements. We must be cleansed therefore.
Now, because afflictions endured with patience, have a blessed power to subdue that which by nature is powerful in us, to purge out those base afiections, that are contrary to the glorious estate we look for ; therefore they help us to heaven, they help the qualification of the person, not the merit and desert of it.
They help likewise the qualification, by removing that which corruption feeds on ; for affliction endured removes that which corruption works on, and strengthens itself by. Affliction is either in removing riches, or honours, or pleasures, somewhat that corruption feeds on ; for all corrup- tion is about those idols, greatness, or pleasure, or profit of the world. Now sufferings crossing us in om' reputation, or estates, or body, one way or other, they withdraw the fuel that feeds our corruptions, and so help
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mortification and purgation, and so fit us for heaven. They help our repentance. They make the favour of God sweet, and sin bitter. It is a bitter thing to offend God. Wo feel it by tho afliictions that are laid on us.
3. Again, many positive graces are required before ice come to heaven. Aflliction endm-ed helps all graces whatsoever. The only time for grace to thrive in is the time of affliction, for affliction endured helps our zeal, our love. We have experience of the patience of God, and they stir up prayer. All graces are set on work in affliction. ' Out of the deep have I cried,' Ps. cxxx. 1. Prayers are cries in affliction. They are not cold dull things, but set on fire ; they set the spirit on work to cry to God with ear- nest, frequent, and ferv-ent prayer.
4. Then again, afflictions endured, they ivork salvation and help t(s to heaven, because they whet and sharpen our desire of heaven ; for when we find ill usage here below in our pilgrimage, we have a great desire to be at home at rest ; and that is one main end why God sends afflictions, to help sal- vation this way by sharpening our desires. For were it not for afflic- tions, and the enduring of them, would we ever say, ' Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly ' ? Rev. xxii. 20. Would we not be of Peter's mind, * It is good for us to be here ' ? Mark ix. 5. Would we ever be weary of the world, before we be fired out of it and pulled out of it, as Lot out of Sodom ? No. They help our desire and earnestness. The creature groans, Rom. viii. 21, 22. ' Those that have received the fii-st fraits of the Spirit, they wait for the adoption of the sons of God.' Those that have the beginnings of gi-ace, they wait for the accompHshment. What makes this but afflic- tions and troubles of the world ? They desire a state wherein all tears shall be wiped from their eyes.
So we see, these and many other ways, but these are the principal, how afflictions, endured as they should be, they help salvation, they work our salvation. Though they work not the title of it, yet they help us in the way.
First, because they assure us that we are the sons of God, and so have evi- dence that we are in a good state ; and then they remove the hindrances and purge us of om- sins. And then they help us in all graces, they cherish all gi-aces, and they sharpen and whet the edge of our desires to be out ot this world.